Two months after the deadly attack on the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, Russia has for the first time acknowledged ISIS's responsibility for the assault. Russian Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov stated today, "The investigation revealed that the preparations, funding, attack, and withdrawal of the terrorists were coordinated online by members of the Khorasan group," according to the RIA Novosti news agency.
Additionally, Bortnikov, during a meeting of security agency directors from the Commonwealth of Independent States in Bishkek, pointed fingers at NATO. He claimed that NATO countries assist in sending mercenaries and armed militants of terrorist organizations to Ukraine. He said, "We are monitoring the continued mass sending of mercenaries and armed members of international terrorist organizations from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan to Ukraine with the help of NATO countries."
He also considered the aim of this to expand terrorism towards the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. It is noteworthy that ISIS had claimed responsibility on several occasions for the horrific attack that occurred on March 22, which resulted in the deaths of 144 people. However, Moscow has repeatedly attempted to link Ukraine and the West to the terrorist attack, previously stating that some of the perpetrators arrested were heading to Kyiv after the operation.
